EAST LANSING -- The only thing more frustrating to Tom Izzo than the simple fact that Michigan State lost 60-51 to Nebraska at home on Sunday was the Spartans' lack of enthusiasm in seizing the moment.

"In evaluating everything, I would say that it's time for a sense of urgency, more than it is a sense of panic," Izzo said Monday. "After watching the film, I came up with two things that stood out incredibly well. We did not play with a sense of urgency from the opening tip, losing that. The first play, missing a three and letting them get going."

But the reason for the flat performance, even after reviewing the film, was perplexing for Izzo.

"Sports works in so many mysterious ways," Izzo said. "But when I was asked by one of you, 'Do you think the announcement of the Michigan game (had an effect on your team's focus?' If that doesn't jack you up, you know, then our team better get a heart transplant.

"(The announcement) shouldn't make you feel worse, that should make you feel better. Just like if anybody else loses that's at the top, it gives you a better chance to accomplish your goal. And if you're just gonna sit back because they lost when you've got six games left? I mean, it's not like it's the last game of the year."

The last game of the year however, is getting closer and closer. No. 13 Michigan State (21-5, 10-3) is tied with Michigan at the top of the Big Ten standings with five games left to play in the regular season.

The lineup is still in flux due to the injuries of Branden Dawson (hand) and Keith Appling (wrist). Appling, who returned after missing three games to play 19 minutes against Nebraska, is not a guarantee to play Thursday against Purdue (15-10, 5-7).

"The one thing I am going to do is, whoever practices is going to play this week," Izzo said. "That's been a little bit of a problem for us. I am going to really take a look at myself and figure out that I am just not made that way. We got to practice like we are going to play. We got to get back to doing the war drill, and having some fun in practice and getting after it a little bit. Who can't play, can't play. And who can play, can play and we'll go from there."

Since starting 18-1, the Spartans have gone 3-4 (3-3 in Big Ten play). They've lost at home twice and scored a season-low 51 points versus the Cornhuskers.

Now they're heading into the final stretch. Izzo is just hoping the players realize it.

"How much will you do to win?" Izzo said. "And if you don't, then you got to see how much does it hurt when you lose. If it doesn't, then you just go on. Everybody copes with it differently. Some rant and rave like me, some do it different ways. But emotion is emotion. As I've always said about the AAU era, you're brought up that there's always another game.

"For me, (knowing Michigan lost) would have been blood in the water. It's a little different now, so maybe it wasn't to them. I didn't sense anything either way. I didn't ask them yesterday; I might ask them today when I see them. But we're still in first place. We still have destiny in our own hands."